Quiddity of the Column of Light

Among the titles mentioned in some traditions, “column of light” (amud an-nur), is one of the ways of Imam's knowledge along with its characteristics and outcome. Kulayni in his book al-Kafi, in a chapter, andSafar in Basair al-Darjat, in several chapters, deal broadly with traditions of “column of light”. In this paper, the authors first view the arrangement of these traditions in hadith sources and philology of their key words. He then examines their history and chain of transmission. He finally, makes a conceptual analysis of this fact. Although the title seems novel, content and concept of the traditions of “column of light” - which indicates the Imam's awareness of the people's deeds – is not a new story. It is also visible in other verses and traditions of fariqayn (the Shia and Sunni). Importantly, these traditions consider Holy Spirit granted by Allah to the holy Imam as the origin of the Imam's awareness of the people's deeds and introduce the “column of light” as a device for its realization.